Local Students Spearhead New Babylon Town Animal Rights Legislation

LINDENHURST, NY – The Babylon Town Board is set to vote on amending a Town code that would protect animals left outside in extreme weather, thanks to the activism of several high school students.

At a public hearing at Wednesday's board meeting, Bennett Vogel, Vice President of the Half Hollow Hills High School West’s Teen Animal Protectors Club, said that last year, the students found chapter 106 of the Town code to be "vague."

The group was concerned with the code, titled "Dogs and Other Animals", believing it could be more strict about animals being left outside when conditions are uninhabitable.

The students then requested legislation be passed by local and state government to help address this concern locally and across New York State.

Animal Shelter Director Chris Elton worked with the Teen Animal Protectors and the Town Attorney to propose a code amendment.

Among many issues this law addresses, the changes will prohibit the restraining of pets outdoors for longer than 30 minutes during inclement weather, which includes anytime the temperature is below 32 degrees in the winter or above 90 degrees in the summer.

The code also prohibits dog owners from placing heavy or uncomfortable collars on the dogs if they are tethered outside.

Vogel and other members of the club attended the hearing, to once again advocate for animals. They are also now working with state representatives from the senate and assembly to pass a state-wide law that would address this issue.

“Thanks to the passion and determination of the Teen Animal Protectors, we will soon have updated rules here in the Town of Babylon when it comes to taking proper care of pets,” said Supervisor Rich Schaffer.

The Town Board will vote to adopt this change at its next meeting later this month.